Ben Rice Ignites Yankees’ Offense, Sparking MVP Buzz
The New York Yankees capped a 5-1 road trip with a 13-8 win over the Athletics, highlighted by a 13-run third inning; Ben Rice has become the offensive catalyst, posting a .306/.397/.658 line with 17 homers and 44 RBI while leading MLB in slugging, which injects MVP chatter as he outproduces Aaron Judge on many key metrics. Judge remains strong but is having a slower season by his standards, setting up a potential late-season MVP duel. The Yankees’ offense has thrived despite injuries, backed by a solid rotation and a bullpen that’s still adapting, as they’ve beaten up on weaker opponents and look ahead to tougher tests.